Syracuse New Times and Syracuse.com Offer High Praise for the Definitive Musical Version of Beloved Story

Syracuse Stage’s production of Kim Oler, Alison Hubbard and Sean Hartley’s LITTLE WOMEN is earning rave reviews from all over New York. The production is being hailed as Broadway quality and the TRW tuner is playing to sold-out houses at the John D. Archbold Theatre.

James MacKillop of the Syracuse New Times wrote, “The score and lyrics…turn out to be highly sophisticated classic Broadway, memorable tunes driven by full-blooded emotion. Following the examples of Rodgers and Hammerstein, songs…grow out of the action and…define character.”

MacKillop continued, “As a lyricist of the post-Sondheim era, Alison Hubbard delivers precise wording with evidence of subtle wordplay so dear to the master. Yet for expressing the language of the heart, of unashamed feeling, Oler could keep company with Harold Arlen…at least one, ‘I Have a Garden,’ near the end of the second act, was written to lift you out of your seats.”

MacKillop’s praise continued for the production’s star, Sarah Shahinian: “The most important role is taken by a national professional, Sarah Shahinian, who seizes the fullness of Jo as the great role it is, as Hepburn knew it was. Elsewhere it’s heartening to see top performances from local professionals, like David Studwell of Ithaca College, as well as Joseph Whelan, Leslie Noble and Malcolm Ingram. Stealing scenes so deftly as Aunt March is Sandra Karas, long a beloved player at Auburn’s Merry-Go-Round Playhouse.”

Dominique Stasiulis and Aisling Halpin in Little Women.

The New Times review saved its strongest praise for the entire production’s elevation of the Syracuse Stage: “Word is out that SU chancellor Nancy Cantor has commanded that the people at East Genesee Street should strive for national rather than just regional prominence. With Little Women Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Drama Department have delivered on that promise.”

Joan Vadeboncoeur of Syracuse.com gave the show perhaps its highest praise with this: “It has been many years since Syracuse Stage sent a show to Broadway or even off-Broadway. But the new musical of “Little Woman” deserves to fill that mission.”